play on the team as I wasn’t sure if the
interview he and Black Hole put me through worked”. Every year I
felt we had a chance to win."
Cameron skated beautifully and was always well
positioned. He moved the puck very well and was dangerous when trailing
a forward into the offensive zone. A right-hand shot, Cameron was
excellent with one-timers, putting a high percentage on net. Tall and
lean, he was nevertheless willing to play a physical game.
“I am going to miss my team mates,
especially their wives and girlfriends, but now is the time to go as
Musty is adding some Russian’s from the elite league over there
eh and I don’t play with Russians”, bellowed Cameron who
then went on at length to say a belated teary goodbye (read pathetic)
to his teammates. I’m gonna is Turk, Black Hole, The
Rocket Richard, President Kennedy, Dan the Man, Todd Cameron (no
relation), J.J. (Jensen), The Griff Bros, Kevin DeRoche, Tim
Irwin., Skate Shane Skate, The Gooch, Factor, Chris, even coach
Musty.
Mustafaga said he offered Cameron a coaching
opportunity, but Cameron said he wanted some time to relax and enjoy
his family. Married, he has 2 son’s and a daughter.
A blurry eyed Mustafaga said Cameron will be back.
"He'll learn you can't golf and fish forever
in the Great White North," Mustafaga cracked with strong emotion.
Cameron was too tired and emotionally drained to
argue.
Cameron finishes as a Arrowhawk
By John McGourty | NHL.com | Aug. 15, 2006
orward Dave Cameron dominated and
decided one of the most important C-2 games in history in leading the
Arrowhawks to the C-2 Semi-Finals in his first season as a Hawk.
When the Arrowhawks didn't offer him a contract
this summer, Cameron had an offer to return to the Canadiens for the
2006-07 season. Instead, at age 41 and following several
injury-compromised season, Cameron, a Ontario native, chose to retire
Thursday -- as a Hawk.
"Most people ask me, 'Why don't you come back
and play one more year in Toronto?' but it was really important for me
to retire as a Hawk," Cameron said at a press conference Monday at
the Hawks Slip & Slide Zone training facility in Dublin, Ohio.
"When you get to a point in your career, it's something you take
pride in. When you start, you just want to be in the league, but once
you're established on a team, you have certain roles. It's something
you work really hard to keep. Everything you put in on the ice and off
the ice, you hope it's going to pay off and you don't have to move your
family around all the time."
Cameron had 47 goals and 43 assists in 45 games
with the Hawks. He had 93 beers and 30 cigars in regular-season
action for the Hawks and an additional 14 beers and 37 cigars in
playoff action for the Hawks. He ranked second to Kevin DeRoche in each
regular-season category among Flyers' all-time forwards.
"Cameron was what everybody believes an
athlete should be," Mustafage bellowed with a large yellow bull
horn , calling Cameron a "high maintenance" player, "the
imperfect athlete on and off the ice. You know that Cameron put
everything in his life into the sport , not just at practice, not just
at the games, but off the ice -- his conduct and living style which are
rumored to include Cubans and many tall boys, his lack of training (see
picture below after playing 18 holes of beer splashed golf during the
height of Arrowhawk training camp”. “I’m glad
he finally decided to retire, I can focus my time on Black Hole”,
said Mustafaga.
"Everything he did was geared toward making
himself the best player for the team that he could be," Mustafaga
sobbed. "So when that ends, you know it's a huge decision, and
it's a tough decision for him."
Cameron played only 1 game last season and 10
previously . He did not play during the lockout season. He had shoulder
surgery last year and a broken arm in 2003-04. He would have needed hip
surgery to play this season.
"After the seven surgeries I had to go
through, it always takes something from your game," he said.
"You always try and get back to where you were, but you never get
back."
Cameron was a star defenseman with the Carling
Knights of the London, Ontario Junior Hockey League. He spent all of
his playing career in the minors before joining the Arrowhawks in 2004.
He was an All-Star in 2004 and one of 3 heroes (Joe Factor, Tim
Pennington) against the Hackman in the 2004 semi final game.
"It was tough to leave Toronto, but as soon
as I got here to Dublin, we went on a great stretch," said
Cameron. "I was lucky to be here and very lucky Coach Mustafaga
let me
